Youth Zone: Back-Up 2 School
Back-Up School’s Project
The Back-Up School’s project has now been underway since September 2009.
The project is working to:
-
ensure young people who have a spinal cord injury are fully included back into their schools
-
support young people who have a spinal cord injury in the time between rehabilitation and their return to school
- make sure the families of young people looking to return to school are also well supported
 |
Are you a young person with a spinal cord injury currently in a spinal injury unit waiting to go back to school? If so please get in contact with Amanda here at The Back-Up Trust to explore ways we may be able to help you. We are already in contact with a number of young people at various stages of their education, working to ensure they are supported in the period leading up to their return to school and aftewards. |
Some ways we can help
-
Match you with a mentor, who also has a spinal cord injury, to discuss the issues that concern you the most
-
Put you in touch with other young people living with a spinal cord injury
-
Speak to staff at your school
-
Organise workshops, discussions or training at your school to ensure your return goes as smoothly as possible
- Telling you about Back-Up courses for young people
Case study
Since its launch, the project has supported a number of children make the sometimes difficult transition back to school. We heard about Michelle (not her real name) after a call from her school requesting assistance. Michelle is 14, has a C4/5/6 injury, and uses a powerchair with head and eye gaze control. Back-Up responded by arranging a school assembly talk to explain how Michelle could be fully included in the school’s activities. We also held a workshop for staff on living with a spinal cord injury and another workshop for students in the same year as Michelle.
All the events were facilitated by Back-Up volunteers and staff who also had a spinal cord injury to help illustrate what life as a wheelchair user is really like. We ensured that there was plenty time for open and honest discussion among both staff and pupils.
Michelle has now adapted to being back at school and has made good progress. Michelle’s tutor said:
“We are thrilled with the positive way in which Michelle approaches school life. She is in good spirits, attends school daily and is gradually lengthening her school day, as stamina allows. She is really enjoying the mental stimulation of lessons and is thinking about the future, including university courses.”
What else can we do?
Please get in touch to explore more ways in which we might be able to provide you with support, and answer questions you have.
Contact Amanda Brook, our Schools Project Coordinator on:0208 875 6721
 |
The Back-Up trust would like to thank The Charles Wolfson Charitable Trust and The True Colours Trust for their financial contributions for the research project. |
More info: